![]() It is confined to its nest chamber for up to 15 hours a day during the chill of winter, “with moderate hypothermia” as the Handbook of the Birds of the World points out. Hanging out. This little falcon is mostly a resident where found, but there is some local movement in drier parts of its range-they head to moister habitats when needed. This living arrangement makes the African pygmy falcon a “nest pirate.” But in the northeastern part of their range, where they utilize white-headed buffalo weaver nests, those “host” birds can ward off predators, so they gain little from the interlopers. In the southwest portion of their range, the pygmy falcons fearlessly protect the homestead from snakes and rodents (and score a meal), so it’s a symbiotic arrangement. The falcons are not just moochers, though. It uses up to six chambers for its nests. The African pygmy falcon prefers larger weaver nest masses, occupying 12 to 25 percent of nest masses available. Pairs and their chicks roost together in the same weaver nest chamber until the young move on. They also hole up in the nests of sparrow-weavers and glossy starlings. Move over. African pygmy falcons rely on weaver bird nests for their roosting and nest sites, especially sociable weavers in South Africa and white-headed buffalo weavers in northeast Africa. The pygmy falcon’s wingspan can exceed 14 inches (37 centimeters)! They have been known to hunt and catch insects in flight. It is striking even as it swiftly strikes its prey on the ground from a perch. It has a small, sharp beak and orange rings around its eyes. ![]() They have a gray head, dark brown eyes and light orange legs and feet. Flight feathers are black, with spots and white tips. ![]() Females sport a snappy chestnut brown mantle between the wings, while males stick with a solid gray back. semitorquatus.įeather accents. Unlike most other raptors, these pint-sized predators exhibit sexual dimorphism-males and females have different markings. There are two species of pygmy falcon: the white-rumped Polihierax insignis and the African P. With their hunting prowess, the pygmy falcons are beneficial nest guests, cutting down on snakes and other predators in the area. The African pygmy falcon is small but mighty! (And super cute.) They form interesting living arrangements: rather than construct their own roost, they prefer to take over a few chambers of a spacious, communal weaver bird nest. As the smallest raptor in Africa-adults are about the length of a sharpened pencil-this bird is a fearless hunter and courageous nest defender. ![]()
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